Today’s superfood spotlight is on Ashwagandha, a root from the nightshade family that has been used in Ayurvedic practices for thousands of years. (And let’s be honest, Ayurveda rocks!) It’s an incredibly therapeutic ancient herb known for its healing and rejuvenating properties. Offering up a whole host of benefits for our wellbeing (Jennifer Aniston and Duchess Meg apparently love the stuff), it couldn’t be more appropriate for 21st-century living. 

Native to India, Northern Africa and the Middle East, Ashwagandha is most well known for being a powerful adaptogen. For those not familiar, an adaptogen is a natural substance that is thought to help the body adapt to stress by supporting immunity and hormone function. There are many different adaptogens, all of which offer a unique way of supporting the body but we thought we’d share some key benefits to Ashwagandha and how you can easily incorporate it into your diet. 

Reduces stress – Stress is inevitable and no one can walk through life without running into it so it’s important to learn how to adapt and manage those stressful moments. Ashwagandha is a great supplement to combat stress as studies have shown taking 300-500 milligrams can slow down the release of cortisol and help you feel more relaxed. 

Boosts immunity – Ashwagandha has incredible anti-inflammatory properties and is ideal to take as we move into the colder seasons where sickness is more rife. It acts as a great support system to your immunity and is also rich in iron.

Aids cognitive function – If you’ve ever struggled with brain fog or memory then ashwagandha could be a helpful supplement for you. It’s long been used in traditional Ayurvedic practices to improve concentration and the ability to recall information, so if you’re struggling to focus at work, try adding it to your morning smoothie for a more productive day ahead.

Helps you sleep – If falling asleep is your arch nemesis then you’ve got to get some ashwagandha in your life ASAP. As well as reducing stress (which is a huge culprit for disrupting sleep) this wonder root can help to calm the central nervous system, preparing the body for rest and promoting relaxation.

There are many ways to take Ashwagandha… you can choose to ingest it in a simple capsule form or you can find a powdered version to mix into your morning smoothies and breakfast bowls. Below we’ve shared a few of our go-to products we’ve tried, tested and love.